Instructions:
Selecting a Social Problem: Select one social problem from the list pdf that you are passionate about and would like to research. I attached a pdf copy of the list of topics to choose from.
Research and Analysis:
Utilize course materials, academic journals/articles, and other peer-reviewed resources to gather information.
You must use Google ScholarLinks to an external site. or The Fresno State LibraryLinks to an external site. for your research.
Analyze the social problem through various sociological perspectives from the module readings.
Discuss the methodologies that would be most effective for studying this problem, including their advantages and disadvantages.
Examine any existing data related to the problem and discuss its relevance.
Paper Structure Suggestions:
Introduction
Definition of the Social Problem: Provide a clear and concise definition of the chosen social problem.
Relevance: Explain why this problem is significant in today’s society.
Thesis Statement: Present a thesis statement that outlines the main points and objectives of your paper.
Sociological Perspectives
Overview of Perspectives: Briefly describe the major sociological perspectives (e.g., Functionalism, Conflict Theory, Symbolic Interactionism).
Application of Perspectives:
Functionalism: How does this perspective explain the social problem?
Conflict Theory: What are the power dynamics and inequalities involved?
Symbolic Interactionism: How do individual interactions and symbols contribute to the understanding of the problem?
Research Methodologies/Analysis of Existing Data
Data Sources: Identify and describe key sources of existing data relevant to the social problem (e.g., government reports, academic studies).
Relevance of Data: Discuss how the existing data contributes to understanding the social problem.
Ethical Considerations
Ethical Issues: Identify potential ethical issues in researching the social problem.
Strategies for Ethical Research: Suggest methods for ensuring ethical integrity in the research process.
Solutions and Recommendations/ Conclusion
Potential Solutions: Propose possible solutions or interventions based on your analysis.
Summary of Analysis: Summarize the main points discussed in the paper.
Restate Thesis: Restate the thesis in light of the analysis provided.
Final Thoughts: Offer concluding remarks on the significance of addressing the social problem.
References
Inclusion of Course Materials and External Sources: Cite all course materials and external scholarly resources used in the paper.
ASA Formatting: Ensure all references are formatted according to ASA style.
Submission Guidelines:
4-6 pages total, not including a title page/works cited. Double-spaced, 12-sized font, Times New Roman font.
Ensure your paper is well-organized, with clear arguments supported by sociological theories and evidence.
Pay close attention to ASA formatting for your citations and references.
Submit the final paper as a Microsoft Word Document below.
Evaluation Criteria:
Depth of analysis and understanding of the social problem
Application of sociological theories and research methods
Quality of writing and adherence to ASA style
Inclusion and integration of course materials and external scholarly resources
As of December 2023, Turnitin can detect AI-generated/paraphrased work; this results in a zero score.
Refer to the rubric below.
